Search

A simple and rapid method is described for the determination of serum hemoglobin. Free hemoglobin shows no peroxidase activity but human hemoglobin-human haptoglobin complex presents a peroxidase activity which permits hemoglobin determination. It is shown that a good source of haptoglobin is constituted by pools of non-hemolyzed human serums.

Amyotrophy of cerebral origin was analyzed in 12 hemiplegics by means of comparative histological, histoenzymological, histographic and biochemical analysis of biopsies carried out in symmetrical zones. In the 6 cases in which atrophy predominated on the paralyzed side, it occurred early, the deficiency affecting the upper limb in particular and the sensory disturbance being irregular. Attempted numeration of the motor units remaining, according to the "incremential" method of stimulation, suggests a numerical reduction on the hemipelgic side. Despite reservations and general criticisms of this method, its comparative value, although approximate, must be acknowledged. However, although amyotrophy presumes a transsynaptic change in trophic function to have taken place in the peripheral neurone, neuronal depopulation--if one accepts it--cannot be other than functional.

In order to elicitate a possible influence of short-term control of glycaemia on circulating plasma lipid fractions, the authors have endeavoured to find out: (a) whether there was a correlation between these fractions and glycosyl-haemoglobin (Hb A1) which indicates previous glycaemic balance, and (b) whether the various lipid fractions were modified by absolute control of glycaemia during a 24-hour application of artificial pancreas. They found that HbA1 correlated positively with total cholesterol and VLDL + LDL cholesterol, but not with HDL cholesterol. After 24 hours on artificial pancreas there was a significant decrease in total blood cholesterol without changes in blood triglycerides. The decrease was homogenous and concerned cholesterol concentrations in both low and high density lipoproteins. The authors conclude that the increased risk of atherosclerosis in insulin-dependent patients is in-related to a decrease in HDL cholesterol.